Discussing Japanese School Uniforms from Gender Perspective

Abstract

In this paper I would like to focus on Japanese gender-free school uniforms and problems associated with this issue. Firstly, I would like to introduce some information regarding Japanese school uniforms. The basic style of school uniform, stand-up collar uniform for male students emerged in 1879. With regard to female school uniforms at that time, they were worn as a Hakama at first. Then, sailor type school uniforms started to be popular among schoolgirls from around the 1920’s. Around the 1960’s, blazer style uniforms appeared along with student movements. This type of uniform was is adopted by many schools from around the 1980’s. Since the 1990’s, school uniforms have become more and more fashionable. More recently, there are variety of different styles of uniforms which have become popular (Kankoo, 2021). From this history, I would like to focus on gender free type school uniforms. Uniforms introduced in many Japanese schools used to be slacks for boys and skirts for girls. But in recent years, more and more schools are allowing girls to choose slacks. On the other hand, not many schools have allowed boys to choose skirts. While outside of school, gender-neutral clothing is common, in a school environment it is not. I believe that skirts for boys should be allowed as well. In this presentation, I will discuss some reasons for such differences and consider how Japanese schools and society should recognize the diversity of gender. My question is that why a skirt type of school uniform for male student is not widespread.